It has been a long time coming.
No, not the pass from the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in favor of Iowa, but rather a date with LSU when Penn State heads to Florida at 1 p.m. Jan. 1 for the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.
The last time the Nittany Lions faced the Tigers was in the Orange Bowl after the 1973 season, when Richard Nixon was president and Joe Paterno was just 47 years old. Paterno joked during a teleconference after the Capital One Bowl announcement that most people probably wouldn't remember that last meeting.
"It was one heck of a football game," Paterno said the night the Lions' bowl destination for this season was announced.
Penn State knocked off the Tigers, 16-9, with help from Heisman winner John Cappelletti to end the season 12-0 for the first time.
Ever since that game, both programs have continued to exist as both regional and national powers.
The Lions have won two national titles since then and are coming off consecutive double-digit win seasons for the first time since 1993-94. As for LSU, the Tigers have won two BCS National Championships this decade.
Although Penn State probably woke up on Dec. 6 with hopes of receiving an at-large bid to the BCS, it did get a good consolation gift by playing LSU, which is the second-highest ranked team not in the BCS.
Not only do the Tigers come in at No. 12 in the final BCS rankings -- one spot ahead of the Lions -- but they also hail from the SEC, which is generally regarded as the top conference.
"Win or lose, we'll be better for having competed against a team of the quality of LSU," Paterno said.
The Tigers' defense isn't as strong as some of their past units, but it is still stingy.
Despite compiling just 20 sacks this season, LSU has surrendered only 16 points per game and has lost by no more than 10 points in a game.
Offensively, the Tigers suffered a blow earlier this season when running back Charles Scott went down with a broken collarbone. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson has thrown for 16 touchdowns and tossed only six interceptions, but LSU ranks just No. 108 in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in total offense.
Penn State is 8-5 in bowls against SEC teams. Paterno is the all-time winner in bowl victories and has key veterans to lean on.
First-team All-Big Ten selection Daryll Clark has thrown for 23 touchdowns and running back Evan Royster has topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season.
But the Lions continue to be paced by their defense, which is led by linebackers Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee and the coaches' pick for defensive player of the year in the Big Ten -- defensive tackle Jared Odrick. Bolstered by that group, the defense ranks No. 8 in the nation.
With the speedy and physical defenses, don't expect a lot of offensive fireworks to match those of the night before, ringing in the New Year.
"I can tell you that our football team wanted to play the best opponent in the greatest bowl destination, and Orlando certainly was our pick," LSU coach Les Miles said. "Our team is challenged and excited and looks forward to playing in that game."
